Pathophysiology
- Fluid, electrolyte and acid-base imbalances occur via vomiting and sequestration into the bowel.
- Prolonged obstruction results in a net secretion of water, sodium and potassium into the intestinal lumen.
- Severity of water and electrolyte loss is greater the more proximal the obstruction.
- Obstruction of the proximal duodenum may result in hypochloremia due to loss of chloride in vomitus, and metabolic alkalosis.
- Obstruction distal to the duodenum may result in loss of bicarbonate and metabolic acidosis.
Sources
Publications
Other sources of information
Johnson S E (1992)Fluid therapy for gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and hepatic disease. In: Fluid Therapy in Small Animal Practice. Ed S P DiBartola. Philadelphia: W B Saunders. pp 507-517.
